Piccola Cucina Osteria Siciliana — Restaurant in New York

I am a returning diner, my usual location is 59 street. I have dined here I would say more than 5 times, each time bringing in a new family member or friend. This time I decided to come in with my husband to try their soho location. I was a walk in, expecting a long wait, it was a 30 minute wait. I was seated outdoors, first obvious complaint, is how small the table, the space, especially in a hot summer day in nyc no air conditioning, or a fan to keep customers comfortable. How much can a fan cost, $25? Then I ordered fried Calamari, alfredo pasta, and my husband ordering a steak. They made an error and giving us raw calamari, so I corrected the waiter politely. This rude manager came to our table immediately after, in a condescending tone, asking was I sure I ordered this since it was not on the menu, shaking voice visibly upset, l said yes Im sure, I have never eaten raw calamari, if so, I could of walked in to a seafood market and order raw calamari for $5 and catch lysteria for free. Immediately ruined the atmosphere and tone of my dinner. Then after, my pasta came with so much black pepper I was shocked the food was inedible, I did not even get full experience of the parmesan wheel, that I usually receive at 59 st. My husband had a taste and immediately laughed and said the manager poisoned your food for having to change the calamari. To keep some grace, I quietly declined to eat the rest, and paid a ridiculous amount of $180. For 3 course meal. Never again, what a horrible waste of time, effort, and lets just say my husband will not trust my...

I had been to another Piccola Cucina establishment before and absolutely loved the experience, so when it came down to a solid date night, this was an obvious choice. Piccola Cucina Osteria is a more compact space, but it doesn’t deter anyone or anything from being incredible. We were seated in the outdoor section, which is super cute with wooden crates decorating the walls, pretty plants and more. The music was just quiet enough where it could be drowned out by conversation but could faintly be heard if listening.

The service was impeccable, huge shout out to Karolina, who had the brightest smile and the best suggestions to make our experience fantastic. She was on point with everything, in the midst of so many full tables.

We basically inhaled the appetizer, which was a special for the night that we loved. For the main plates, we got the ravioli and lasagna dishes. These are generous portions, so please treat yourself. I felt that both dishes were prepared exquisitely. The ravioli creamy and soft, the layers of lasagna forming waves of sheer joy.

And being gluttonous and only human, we obviously could NOT leave without dessert. We got the tiramisu, which was made table-side!!! Keep in mind the space was pretty busy and they STILL worked on this marvelous artwork in front of us. I would have loved to seen the Mona Lisa painted, but this was close enough. Even if you swear up and down that you aren't a fan of desserts, this might just be your culinary awakening, never to...

Last night, I dined at Piccola Cucina Osteria Siciliana with friends and found myself enveloped in a moment that can only be described as sublime. Time seemed to stretch, ripple, and warp, as though the very fabric of reality had softened. This was no mere meal—it was a transportive experience, a journey through flavor, memory, and imagination. The wine was spectacular, each sip unlocking another layer of pure magic. It felt as though I had stepped into a Sicilian taverna, where every detail—every gesture of the food—was infused with soul and history.

To the chef and the wonderful staff who attended to us, thank you for creating something so deeply moving. Some nights, life offers us unexpected gifts, and this was undoubtedly one of them—a feast not just for the palate, but for the spirit. Piccola Cucina is more than a restaurant; it is a story, layered and rich, with the depth and resonance of a great novel. It felt as if I had turned the last page of a classic or returned from a voyage that leaves you forever altered.

As Rainer Maria Rilke once wrote: “For beauty is nothing but the beginning of terror, which we are still just able to endure, and we are so awed because it serenely disdains to annihilate us.”

Such moments remind us of the sublime, where beauty and transcendence intertwine, leaving us both awestruck and grateful. Thank you, Piccola Cucina, for this rare and...